Amy

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Amy is Currently Reading

Amy is currently reading

The First Confessor (The Legend of Magda Searus, #1)

by Terry Goodkind

bookshelves: 2012, fiction, 1-owned, 2026, mystery, audiobook, currently-reading

Reading for the 2nd time

read in September 2012

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Amy said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" This is the prequel to the Sword of Truth series written by Terry Goodkind. I decided to read this book while I was half way through the second book in the series ("Stone of Tears") because Goodkind recommends that you read this book after the first This is the prequel to the Sword of Truth series written by Terry Goodkind. I decided to read this book while I was half way through the second book in the series ("Stone of Tears") because Goodkind recommends that you read this book after the first book.

This book describes how the first Confessor came to be. How she was first created and why. I have to say, it's an interesting story.

The book is set in a time long before Richard and Khalan are alive (from the first book). A time were wizards are plentiful and they rule the land. Throughout the book there is a war between the Old World and the New World, although the book is set in the New World.

Goodkind introduces you to a type of wizard called a "maker". Makers invent new types of magic that will be used in the future, they think differently to other wizards and therefore can think of different ways to create and wield magic that hasn't yet been invented. You learn that a lot of the things in the first book, "Wizard's First Rule", were actually created by Makers back-in-the-day.

As for Magda Searus, our heroin. You can hardly believe the journey she's been through. Having to deal with loosing her husband (wizard of the first order, 'head wizard' if you like), then having her hair cut to say she's lowered in status on the same day as his funeral, not to mention everything else she will go through in this book to try and find the truth behind her husbands death.

I did like the book, and I was happy that some parts that kept me wondering were explained in this book... however I was dissapointed that they never went through all/most of the rules of a Confessor. I hoped they would. They did explain some, two or three I think, but not many. I would have been interested exactly which rules Confessors had to live by, so perhaps in one of Goodkinds other books these are present. I also wanted to see the war and it's outcome properly (in the field of battle), but didn't. I guess I felt like I was lead on.

The book does do what it's supposed to, it tells the story of Magda Searus. However, it makes you want to know more, as if the authors been teasing you throughout the book but then doesn't tell you. As I've said, I've only read one and a half out of twelve books so far, so maybe the answers I seek are in them, another theory is he's left it open for another book (considering this book is called "The First Confessor: The Legend of Magda Searus #1), yes, number one.

I felt like the end was rushed after such a beautiful story telling throughout the book. The ideas throughout did surpass my expectations, but truth be told, the only reason it didn't get five stars was due to the ending. I felt like Goodkind had run out of time and had to quickly finish it to keep to his deadline. My hope now, is that the next book will have exactly what I felt was missing in this book. The construction of the Confessors rules and the outcome of the war. I'd feel slightly cheated if it doesn't.

Four stars overall. Pity about the rushed ending, but still great detail of ideas throughout the book. You can tell Goodkind has taken a lot of time to think through the origin of the ideas. I'd recommend this book to anybody reading the Sword of Truth novels, but would still recommend not reading it until you've read at least the first book so you have an understanding of the world this is set in.

Reading this book has left me with high expectations for the next book, I still find the quality of Goodkinds work astonishing and can't wait to read the next part. ...more "

progress:

(50%)
— May 09, 2026 03:00AM

May 09, 2026 03:00AM · see review

Amy’s Notes & Highlights

Book cover for Terciel and Elinor (The Old Kingdom, #6)

Terciel and Elinor (The Old Kingdom, #6) by Garth Nix

5 highlights

A child brought into the world has no more certain future than anyone else. We strive to make them safe and loved and equip them to both withstand the bad things and to make the most of the good.

See Amy’s 17 books with notes and highlights…

Amy’s Quotes

“Coils within coils,” murmured the cat. “Fleas upon fleas, idiots begetting idiots—”

“What?”

“Mmm, just thinking,” whispered Mogget. “You should try it sometimes.”
― Garth Nix, Lirael

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